Tradition Now: Portraits Of Seán Ó Riada – 50th Anniversary Celebration

This event has ended

National Concert Hall, Saturday 25th September

Two concerts celebrate Seán Ó Riada’s enduring influence on a diverse range of Irish music 50 years after his untimely death.

PART 1 – 2PM
With RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Mick O'Brien

For the first concert RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra explore Ó Riada’s landmark orchestral output. Ó Riada’s ambition was to create orchestral music in the European tradition. As he said himself, ‘it is my composition that gives meaning to my existence’. The programme includes his landmark Hercules Dux Ferrariae, the evocative Banks of the Sullane and Ceol na Laoi as well as his famous film scores for Mise Éire and Saoirse. The concert also features contributions from Aoife Ní Bhriain and Mick O’Brien.

Curator : Anthony Long, RTÉ NSO
Curatorial advisor : Liam O’Connor

PART 2 – 8PM
With Ceoltóirí Chualann, Peadar O Riada, Seán Ó Sé, Seán Keane, Cormac Begley, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Sibéal Ní Chasaide, Doireann and Siún Ní Ghlacáin, Stephen Rea, Mick O’Brien and Crash Ensemble

Featuring Peadar Ó Riada with Ceoltóirí Chualann and a host of the country's finest musicians and singers, this portrait shines a light on Ó Riada’s extraordinary legacy, one that has helped shape the national psyche. Seán Ó Sé, Sean Keane, Cormac Begley, Sibéal Ní Chasaide, Ryan Molloy and Ó Riada’s granddaughters Doireann and Siún Ní Ghlacáin are among the contemporary solo performers inspired by Ó Riada. Crash Ensemble will perform his landmark Hercules Dux Ferrariae with single-strings. Stephen Rea will draw on Ó Riada’s influence on the writings of poets like Seamus Heaney and Thomas Kinsella. A curated soundscape contextualises Ó Riada’s disparate musical life.

Curator: Liam O’Connor with Gary Sheehan, NCH

Part of NCH and The Arts Council’s Tradition Now series. A concert presented by NCH, The Arts Council and RTÉ.
NCH, The Arts Council and RTÉ wish to thank the Ó Riada Family for their support in developing this special event.


Date:
Saturday 25th September
Time:
2.00pm and 8.00pm
Price:
€20 (free online)
Address:
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, Ireland

Google Map of National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, Ireland

You might also like...

What's on

Bealtaine Festival

Various Locations

Bealtaine Festival, an initiative of Age & Opportunity, is proudly funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, with the support of communities nationwide and a vast network of accomplished local and national bodies.  Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age, marks three decades of vibrant, fun, and contemporary festivities in 2025. This milestone edition will unfold across Ireland throughout the month of May, offering an expansive lineup of performances and activities that champion generational interdependence and diversity. From beautiful poetry to comedy showca

What's on

Remembering Christy Dignam

Vicar Street

After the incredible success of the celebration concert in memory of Christy and huge demand. For his anniversary we are coming together for another night to celebrate Christy's memory and the music he sang and loved joined by special guests Kiera Dignam, Shobsy, George Murphy, Tom Dunne, Steve Wall, The 4 of us, Mundy, Paul Walsh and Brian McFadden with hosts Eric Lalor and Enya Martin ... with lots more to be announced!

What's on

Brake Loose

The Workman's Club

Irish Rockers BRAKE LOOSE hit The Workman's Club (Main Venue) in Dublin on Friday 30 May 2025 as part of their UK and Ireland 2025 summer tour. This will be their one and only headline show of the year in the Irish capital. Support for the night comes from Finnish rockers – Pretty Affair.